FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Sarah Straut (married on April 21, 1862; separated around 1889; she died in 1900); Remarried (shortly after his first wife's death)Children: Five children: John W., Charles C., Frank E., (sons, with first wife); Effie (daughter, with first wife); Maurine (daughter, with second wife)Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature: Alfred Elisha Ames
- Father

GENERAL NOTES

He came to Minnesota in 1852. (Minnesota Legislative Manual, 1867, and Progressive Men of Minnesota, 1897)

"In 1851 he moved with his father, Alfred Elisha, and his mother, Martha A. Ames, to Fort Snelling, Minnesota - now a part of the city of Minneapolis." (City Bosses in the United States, Duke University Press, 1930)

"His popularity with the soldiers was such that in 1867 he received election to the state legislature on a soldiers' ticket." (City Bosses in the United States, Duke University Press, 1930)

"This chanced to be his one and only state office, although he ran for the office of governor on two occassions, for lieutenant governor in 1877, and later for a seat in the House of Representatives of the United States. At one time he received consideration by the Democrats as a possible nominee for vice-president of the United States." (City Bosses in the United States, Duke University Press, 1930)

"Perceiving in 1900 that there was slight hope for a mayoralty nomination in Democratic ranks he changed his political skin again. The year 1900 happened to be the first in which the primary election law, which allowed members of any party to vote for candidates of another party, operated. In as much as there was no special contest among the Republicans, Dr. Ames instructed his followers to insert his name in the Republican column. By this bit of strategy he gained nomination by a narrow margin." (City Bosses in the United States, Duke University Press, 1930)

"In 1868, went to California, and engaged in the newspaper business until 1874, when he returned to Minneapolis, where he has since remained." (History of Hennepin County and The City of Minneapolis, North Star Publishing, 1881)

He was a Master, High Priest, and Commander in the Masons. He was also a Knight of Pythias, Grand Chancellor, and Chancellor Commander.

"Although the elder doctor had been active in the Episcopal Church, his son had no love for religion." (City Bosses in the United States, Duke University Press, 1930, p. 343)

Religion provided by City Bosses in the United States, Duke University Press, 1930, p. 343.

9th Legislative Session (1867)

Party:RepublicanParty Notes: "His popularity with the soldiers was such that in 1867 he received election to the state legislature on a soldiers' ticket." (City Bosses in the United States, Duke University Press, 1930)